The playoff bound Baltimore Ravens play host to the Cleveland Browns, Saturday Dec 24th. The Ravens clinched a playoff berth, thanks to losses by the New York Jets, Oakland and Tennessee in Week 15. NFL oddsmakers have the Ravens as -13 point home favorites over the Browns with the over/under set at 38.5 points. Be sure to get the latest Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens Spreads before making your 2011 NFL Piredictions Week 16.
Cleveland (4-10, 1-6 V) lost to Arizona 17-20 (OT), on the road, in Week 15. QB Seneca Wallace started in place of Colt McCoy, connecting on 18 of 31 passes for 226 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown to Greg Little. Little caught five passes for a career-best 131 yards in the Browns’ fourth straight loss and seventh in eight games. RB Peyton Hillis gained a season-high 99 yards on 26 carries for Cleveland.
Colt McCoy has been diagnosed with a concussion, and he is not expected to play this weekend. In fact, McCoy’s season may be over at this point. Seneca Wallace is expected to get the start again at quarterback in place of McCoy. Peyton Hillis has been injured much of this season, but he seems to be fully healthy at this point. Hillis is a tough runner who fights for every yard. Last week he picked up 99 yards on the ground. Overall, this offense is lacking play makers. The Browns are scoring just 13.9 points per game. Cleveland’s defense has actually been pretty good this year. This unit has kept the team in the game
Baltimore (10-4, 7-0 H) lost to San Diego 14-35, on the road, in Week 15. The Ravens had their four-game winning streak snapped. QB Joe Flacco was sacked five times — three by former Ravens linebacker Antwan Barnes — and intercepted twice. He finished 23 of 34 for 226 yards with two touchdown passes.
The Ravens need to protect Flacco if they want to succeed in the playoffs and must do a better job of getting the ball out quickly, and getting open down field. “There was really no breakdown in the blocking against the Chargers,” Harbaugh said. “It was really more of holding the ball. Joe didn’t have a lot of places to go with the ball that were clear-cut to him. They did a really nice job of covering. It was mostly zone coverage the whole game, and they just executed it very well.” Flacco wouldn’t attribute the Ravens struggles to anything in particular after the game. He said he thought opportunities were there to make plays; the offense simply didn’t get the job done.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Baltimore.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Browns are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Road team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Ravens are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 vs. AFC North.
Ravens are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 16.
Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens
When: Saturday, Dec 24th, 2011 1:00 EST
Pick: Baltimore -13
Point-Spreads recommends you check the Browns vs Ravens Spreads before the game kicks-off.
The Bottom Line: The Ravens will crush Cleveland, but they might pull starters after second half. NFL Point Spreads Expert Tyler Morgan went 2-1 ATS in Week 15, winning on underdogs Kansas City and Carolina to bring his NFL Predictions record to 73-39-4 for the season. Morgan, whose 2011 NFL Picks are hitting at 65% against the spread. Tyler’s moves have put thousands of dollars into his clients hands week after week. The good news for NFL Football bettors is – TYLER MORGAN’S PICKS ARE FREE – unlike most self proclaimed experts who charge big bucks to subscribers. Put a few Morgan Silver Dollars in your bank account by getting Tyler’s winning plays for FREE. Feel free to sign up to get NFL Picks Free!
